The new triple-glazed windows arrived this week. Made in Lithuania, the EcoContract windows, sourced via the Green Building Store, arrived in-tact. They are still mostly in their packaging, so have only really checked the colour match is correct. But they look good, really good. The bi-folding doors (top left photo) weighs some 400kg and we will need to dismantle this before we can move it into place – more to follow.
With the blockwork complete, the carpenters were able to make a start. The timber wall plate is bolted to the block using Hilti resin anchors to fix the M12 threaded rods into the blockwork. The joists are then attached to the timber plate using joist hangers. The same fixing method will happen on the existing wall. This approach helps to minimise air leakage. at intermediate floor level – often a key air leakage path.
The floor structure should be finished next week and will be temporarily boarded to give a platform from which to construct the roof.
With the scaffolding up, we were able to complete the blockwork walls this week. Despite the rain, the walls have still gone up quickly, albeit there has been a bit of extra re-pointing here and there to keep on top of the rain as it has washed the mortar away! The walls run to roof parapet height and will be externally insulated with the insulation continuing across the top of the parapet as shown in the detail below.
The insulation will start shortly, but in the meantime the priority is the internal floor followed by the roof so that we can get out of this mad weather as soon as possible!
